Toe to Toe – World Juniors

Toe to Toe – World Juniors

Two combatants from Cogeco’s Sports Firing line Frank “The Toe” Caruso (left), and Chris Dawson (right) now take their arguments to the web with a BayToday.ca's weekly sports opinion feature called, “Toe to Toe.”

The World Junior Hockey Championships take place in Vancouver starting on Boxing Day. Will Canada defend their title on the left coast?

Chris:

Sorry Canada fans but this will be the year of the Red, White and Blue. The Americans should cruise to victory in this event because they are sending arguably their best team ever to this event.

“The Americans are led by two of the top scorers in the OHL in Rob Schremp and Bobby Ryan. On top of that, the American arsenal includes Phil Kessel, the best American prospect to come along in more than a decade. They have strong but inexperienced back end led by Ottawa Senators 2005 first round pick Brian Lee.

“I saw this team play a mini tournament this summer in Lake Placid, NY against the Swedish and Finnish National Junior teams. The Americans used a pair of split squad teams to dominate the European squads winning seven games between them and losing only once.

“They are big on defence, they are fast up front with loads of talent plus they have some big bruising forwards as well (Geoff Paukovich and Blake Wheeler are 6’4”). The American team will match up well against the hard hitting but inexperienced Canadians.

“I’m predicting the Americans go undefeated and dominate in a similar fashion to what Canada did last year in North Dakota. Canada’s young squad will learn from Vancouver 2006 and should bounce back with Gold in 2007.”

Frank:

“That’s a good point Chris because no doubt about it the U.S. are the favourite in this event. They are a terrific team. However, I think Canada does have a shot and the reason why is first of all the home ice advantage. I don’t care what anyone else says Canada, U.S. and Russia all take advantage of home ice, and I think it’s a big deal here in Canada. The seventh man is like a goal a game, or a big save a game.

”Yes, the Canadian team is a lot younger and they are going to be great next year but they have a chance this year. I think they have the playmakers to do it, they have good goal scoring, but the thing I like about this Canadian team is they are very big on defence. They are big and fast and I think if you take a look at the American forwards that are smaller and faster, I think they may have a little bit of trouble on a smaller ice against the Canadians. So yes, I’m going to take the Canada, call me a homer, but I’m taking Canada to win the championships.”

Toe to Toe can be seen every Friday on BayToday.ca

Toe to Toe – World Juniors

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